Fishing-reel.



PATENTED JAN. 29, 1907. R. L. HUNTER FISH-ING RLEL.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 24,1904.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

wma... M/w 1 ZTH PATENTED JAN. 29, 1907.

R. L. HUNTER. FISHING REEL. APPLIoATIoN FILED SEPT. 24,1904.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

UNITED A,STATES PATENT oEEicE.

@"RoRERT L.l HUNTER, or CLEVELAND, oHio.

FISHING-REEL.

vSp'ecicaiulon of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 29, 190'?.y

Application filed September 24, 1904. v Serial No. 225.804.

has special reference to im rovements upon reels of that class Awherein t e spool is readily removable from the reelcase or frame to facilitate substitution or a change oi line; and

' the invention further and particularly relates to improvements u on. 'the fishing reels shown and described 1n Letters Patents No.

728,717, granted to me May 14,1903, and No.

750,054, granted to me January 19, 1904, the reels therein shown bein of the above class and being distinguishe A by a mechanism adapted to disconnect `the spool'i'ro'm the winding mechanism, and thus permit rthe spool to run free to relieve the outgoing line from the retarding influence of the winding mechanism. f

'lyhe object 'of this invention is to provide a fishing-reel that shall be composed of few readily-separable parts or sections free from screws and yet capable of being easily taken apart and as easily put together when there is need to interchange or substitute parts or to clean the reel. l i

Another object of the invention is to rovvide a free-running spool-reel, which sha be characterized by a spool-clutchoperating device adapted for actuation by the anglers thumb while the thumb is in roper position opposite the spool, as during till cast. c

Another object of the invention is to provide a reel of the kind here projected and in which the click and dragdevices may be permanently set, ii desired, and yet operate only wheny the windingmechanism is positively connected with the reel-spool, whereb said click and drag mechanisms or either o them shall be adapted t automatically retard the.

rotation oi' the spool from the moment that a the thumb is removed from the described spool-freeing device.

Aiurther and particular object of my in- .either of two interchangeable heads containing windingmechanisms.

Still another object of the invention is to e making of a provide a reel which may be easily and.`A

quickly altered from a right-hand to a lefthand reel," and, further, a reel which shall be sectional-that is, com osed of unitary parts which ymay be intere ranged as desired. `A iurther obj ect of the invention is to provide a non-metallic resilient spool for fishingreels Whichshall be capable of withstanding rough usage'without becoming distorted or being rendered unfit for use.

Aiurther and general object of theinvention is to simplify and lessen the cost of fishing-reels, particularly those of the higher -1 class or tvpe.

Other bbjects of the invention will appear y.

from the following detailed description.

My invention consists in a fishing-reel comprising readilyseparable parts constructed and combined substantially as hereinafter specified, and my invention will be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification. and in Which- Figure 1 is anelevation of the rear side of `a fishing-reel embodying my invention. Fig.

2 is an edge view of tlie ily-casting head, which is interchangeable with the bait-casting head shown in Fig. 1'. g Fig. 3 is an end View of the fly-casting head. Fig. 4 is an enlarged horizontal section of the reel on the line .r4 :v4 of Figs. 1 and 6. Fig 5 is a detailed section oi? the spool on Fig. 4.

the'line 107 w7 of Fig. 4. Fig. 8 is an enlarged vertical section of the fly-casting head on the l the line ui 11,5 of* I' Fig.' 6 is a vertical section on the line Y '26 .e6 ef Fig. 4. Fig. 7 is a sectional detail on 9o line fus v8 of Figs. 7 and 9, and Fig. 9 is a vertical transverse section on the line 1/9 y9 of My fishing-reel is preferably composed of a plurality of parts, sections, or mechanisms ICO winding-heads the spool-shaft, having bearings in said front and rear heads; the spool, mounted on said shaft; a clutch mechanism forconnecting the said Winding mechanism with said spool, and suitable click and drag mechanisms.

A particular object of my invention is to I simplify and lessen the cost of reel cases or frames and at the same time provide a framewhich shall be lighter and much stronger' than those now in use. Another and special object is to provide a frame that willadmit of the employment o f head-locking devices that are arranged within the heads, whereby the useof the usual screws is avoided. With these objects in view I provide a framethat willi be' noted that thev s indle ends 2 form studs, which, projecting om the frame-rings 3 are perfectly adapted to the holding of the reel-heads.

2 2 are notches provided inthe ends of` studs 2 to receive the head-lockingdevice before alluded to and detailed hereinafter;l

I provide my reel with two interchangeable winding-heads B and F. (See Figs. 1 and 2 and Figs. 4 and 8.) construction,` except as tothe winding or -spool-driving mechanisms which theyscontain. The head proper preferably comprisesl a' metallic disk 6 and a non-metallic disk 7, suitably secured together. The disks are provided with holes properly positioned to' re- `ceive the studs 2, of the reel-frame.` The nonmetallic, preferably hard-rubber,"portion 7 preferably appears between the metallic parts 3 and 6 when the head is placed on the rame, thus giving the reel a fine appearance. The part 7 contains a shallow annular groove l 7 to receive the head-locking device or ring 8, ,which is held betweenl `the parts 6 and 7. This ring 8 is of suHicient diameter to enter thenotches 2 in the studs 2- and when so l engaged serves to securely fasten or lock` the head tov the'frame.- The ring 8 is provided with notches corresponding to the positions of the studs 2'., and when the ring is turned to position the notches 8 before respective studs 2 the ring will be disengaged from the latter and the reel-head may be pulled off the studs,

and thus separated from the frame. Thev ring may be operated in any desired manner 5 but I prefer to provide it with a thumb-piece or lug-8, extending through a throw-limitingy notch '7 in the part 7. It has a milled end 83 exposed beneath the head, as shown in Fig'. 3, and by means ofthis the vring may be easily turned to 'lock or unlock the head. Such a locking device is extremely simple, is wellprotected, and is not liable to disorder, and regard the same as a very important feature of my invention.

They are Videntical inv I do not confine the invention to the Aspecific ring-like device here illustrated, as substitutes therefor maybe readily devised. The head contains a central bearing or journal 9 for the spool-shaft 10. The portion'7 is provided with a recess 73 to contain the drivegears. The shape of therecess differs in the heads B and F, the same being made to accommodate the mechanisms pertaining thereto. The driving mechanisms will be best understood if described in connection with the spool and spool-shaft, and I defer description thereof until the said spool and spool-shaft are understood.

The rear head of the reel is identical with the front head, as above described, except that it lacks the large recess for gearing.

'6&represents the metallic disk ofthe rear head; 7 a, the non-metallic disk thereof, and 8a therlocking-ring to engage in the studnotches 2' and secure the rear head to the frame.

The front and rear heads are preferably of the .sanie thickness and may= be interchanged. In thismanner I provide a reel which maybe used either by a right or left handed angler. When the preference of the one who is to use the .reel is known, heads may be made of different thicknessesand the studs 2- of different lengths to distinguish `the reel. In other words, the headsmay be non-interchangeable.

The re'arhead contains a central bearing 9a for the rea` end of the spool-shaft 10. Theshaft 10 .is larger at the middle than at the end. At one end it is provided with an integral pinion 10 for engagement with either of the hereinafter-described winding mechanisms. The spool 11 is mounted upon ball-bearings on the shaft 10. These bearings comprise the cones 12 12 on the shaft, the ball-races 13 in the spool, and the balls 14.- Thefront cone may bevsecured to the shaft by ai pin 12', whilethe rear cone 12 is preferably arranged upon a thread 10' on shaft 10.

15 is a'lock-nut for the cone 14, and 16 is still another locking-nut, the latter being 'provided with la peripheral groove and serv- .ing asia ,part of thev hereinafter-describe( dra mechanism. l T e spool which I prefer to use isa hardlOO IIO

rubber casting 'having a large barrel 11,

containing av proportionately large centra-l cavity. Thev-ball-racesy are flanged steel -rings. -The peripheries of said rings are grooved or milled longitudinally and -the rings are driven into place in the barrel of thespool. -The races are thus effectually fastened into the spool and serve to finish the endsthere'of, and it is impossible for the races .to slip' or turn within the spool. In practice after inserting the races the flanges 11 of the spool are turned to remove the rough edges and fit the flanges to the rings 3 In nblding or casting the-spool of hard rubber or other non-metallic resilient irate- -rial I preferably provide the spool with the longitudinal 'rib or thickened portion 113,

and also-with a groove 114in which the, "fishing-line may be tied. The rib 113 not only serves to strengthen the spool-barrel, but also provides material in which I may drill a hole 115, in which the line ir. ay be tied,

if preferred. The advantage of .this construction .is that the line-securing hole may be made Without piercing the barrel ol" the reel and Water is therefore excluded from the interior of the spool.

It will be understood that the driving mechanism operates upon the shaft and not directly upon the spool. The connection between the spool and shaft is made by means of a, simple clutch, well shown in Figs. 4, 7, 8, and 9. lar 17, having a light hub 17. The. collar is adapted to slide on thefshaft, but is h'eld in normally by a light spring 18, arranged in a recess in the collar 17 and presses against the collar 103 of the shaft 10.

19 represents the clutch'- arm, having an enlarged central portion fastened'on the hub 17l by expanding' the 4latter therein. ball-race 13 at the front end of the spool is provided with two or more notches 20 to receive the clutch-arm 19, and the clutch-armis provided with lugs 19, movable in, but permanently engaged with, a cross -`slot 12"l in the front end of the cone `12 on the windingshaft. (See Fig. 4 anddotted lines in Fig. 8.)

In this manner the clutch is permanently connected with the shaft 10 and when occupying its inner position will establish `the connection between the shaft 10 and the spool. When the clutch is drawn out, it is obvious that thespool Will be disengaged, so that it may run freely upon its ball-bearings. For operating the clutch I employ a clutch-lever 21, for which there are preferably two fastene ings or pivots 22 on the front head,the arm being accommodated'in a recess in said head. rIwo fastenings are rendered necessary by the interchangeability of fthe frontI head from right to left.r The arm 21 has a lug 21, which extends through an opening cr notch 213 in the frame-ring 3, there to be engaged ing pin-holes 22, so that the trigger 22 may be fastened in either` end of the bar accordmg by the clutch-operating trigger Y,22 on the rear cross-bar cr spindle 2. i The cross-bar is provided with two slots 22 and correspondas the reel is made right crleft handed by changing the windinghead from one end to the other. The trigger is provided with a simple foot orv short arm 223, that presses against the lug 21 The lever 21 is forked and engages the'grooved collar 17, and said arm is therefore pressed upon by the spring 0n the shaft is a small grcoved col-V' The l 18. Hence the trigger 22 will be normally l held away from the bar 2 and when pressed against the said bar will operate lever 21 to pies a 'position on the bar midway of the reel, where it may be easily operated by the ball of the thumb, which the angler uses to stop the spool after making a cast. The arrangement is such that when the vend cf the thumb is pressed upon the spool the ball of thumb will be naturally lifted from the trigger 22, and. the clutch will be permitted to return into engagement with .the spool, and thus connect spool and shaft. It is obvious that the clutch will always spring into place as soon as the thumb of the hand is removed away from the 'fram'e of the reel. In waters where a long cast cannot be made the spoel need not be freed from the Winding mechanarrange the trigger in such mannerthat it may be thrown up to one side, where it is out of reach of the thumb, as shown by dottedlines `in Fig.v 1. In moving to this position the heel 223 of the trigger passes the lug 21, which thereafter serves to hold the trigger in the elevated position, and side pressure upon the trigger cannot result in disengaging the clutch. I

eit er one is left in engagement with the.

his bait a short cast will result. This is a constant source of annoyance to fishermen, and to obvia'l'e the same I arrangethe click and also the drag mechanism of my reel in connection with the spool-shaft, from which the spool is free during the casting of the bait. At the same time the click and drag will bein instant readiness to operate upon the spool entrance of 'the clutch*in other Words, whenever the spool picks u the shaft. The click shown in Fig.` 9 may e a simple spring 23, arranged in a recess in vthe winding-head and pinion 10 on shaft 10. The spring is shown arranged kupon 'the' stud`23 on the sliding button 23, appearing upon the face of the frontl head. To avoid confusion in the use of the click and drag, I arrange the larteron in inventing a drag mechanism 'that will eX- ert a powerful influence lupon the spool and it out of alinement. The mechanism re ferred to is shown in Figs. 4 and 6, compris ing a sheave-nut 16 on shaft 10, the flexible band 24, the band-operating `lever 25, 'and the button l26. The shank of the button extends through a slot in the rear head and cngages the beveled end of lever 25. The band 24 is secured on pin 27, and when the lever 25 retract the clutch and disengage-the spool.v vlt will be observed that the trigger 22 occu-I ism ard tofprovide for such use of the reel I In most reels the click and drag are made to engage the spool of the reel, and in caseA spool when tlm angler 1s preparing to cast IOC) when the trigger 22 is released to allow the 'y IIOA adapted to engage with the teeth of the .Y

the rear head" ofthe reel and have succeeded Y yet in no wise tend to bind the spool 'orfthrow p engage with the spool-shaft is thrown intothe dotted-line position the band will be tightened upon the grooved end 'of the sheave 16, thereby exerting a braking force on the shaft and throughthe medium thereof upon the spool of the reel. It will -be-obvious that both click and drag may and yet not affect the s pool during the casting operation, as the clutch is disengaged from the spool at such times. When the clutch is restored, the drag and the click, -or either thereof, will instantly resist further rotation of the spool.

- As above stated, I provide two different windlng mechanisms for my reel. For use in bait-fishing I prefer the mechanism shown in Figs. 1 and 4, the same being distinguished by `the usual crank 28. The shaft of the crankvisarranged in a hollow stud 29 on the face-plate 6 on the front head, and on the inner end of the shaft is a large gear 30, that meshes with the pinion 1 0 of. the reel. I

have illustrated the usual quadruple gearing, and when the crank 28 is turned the spool will; be rapidly rotated-through the medium ofA gear 30, pinion v10', shaft 10, and the clutchi"' The continuous' steady rotation of the spool made possible by the crank mentisgbest ada' ted for use in bait-fishing,

IIlOVe" but i'sinot desira lein fly-fishing, where the best-results may be obtained by causing the fiies to .skip or'jumpon the surface of the v lThiscanmot easily be laccomplishedl water. by th'elowfquadruple gearing customarily used with the winding mechanism. For flyfishing I therefore dispense with the crank 28 and substitute a sim le ratchet-lever 31, ar-

fate of `the reel and con- -twelv'e-t'hat is," one stroke of the lever 3 1 ducetwelve revolutions of the reelmen't `ofthe lever 31 is as herein shown, it being intended that the lever shallbe operated bythe index-finger or the second finger. of

' thefhand in which the fishing-rodis grasped.

` Theshorts'haft'32 of the lever 31 carrles a 34 is a large gear-Wheel journaled on `the lever-shaft and yprovided withaspring-pawl 34, which engages the lratchetzwh eel'33. A spring 35 on the shaft .l L 32'.serves--tio return the lever 31 after each Multiplying-gears 36, 37, 38, and 39,' arranged on studs 40 and 41, connect f the gear'34 to reel-pinion 10. lVYhen the `leverj31v is drawn bac-k quickly, the' ratchet- 2wheel will be turnedand operating through fthe; me'diuni of the multiplying-gears will @.-startithereels ool into quick rotation, which if y result Xin n `idlyth'at the'fiy will be lifted from the water. j g. Thusirepeated" strokes of the winding or `4`' 'ratch'et'-lever'31 will cause the bait -to jump orflyf and more-'effectively attract the fish. l

rawing in the fish-line so rapby a ratchet- Itv will be obvious .that the removal of the bait-casting head and the substitution of the yfly-casting head occupies but. a moment of time, and a fisherman having one of these sectional reels is fully equi ped for successful angling in all Waters an under all conditions'. v It should be specially noted that all of the advantages hereln set forth are secured in a reel that is free from screws, which, as proven with other reels, are likely to loosen and become lost. M It will be obvious'that numerous modifications of my invention will readily suggest themselves to one skilled in the art, and-,I therefore do not coniine the invention to the specic constructions herein shown and described.

Having thus described.v my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. In a fishing-reel, a frame provided with I end studs, in combination with a head, having a face-ple te and a locking-ring arranged upon the inner side of said face-plate and operable from the exterior thereof to secure the head upon said studs, described.

2. In a fishing-reel, a frame, in combination with a head, a rotary locking-ring arranged lin said head and adapted when parsubstantially as tially rotated to engage the head or disengage the same from said frame, substantially as described.. y

3. In a fishing-reel, a frame having an end ring and end studs, in combination with la two-parthead fitted upon said studs, and a locking-ring arranged upon said parts and operable from the exterior thereof to secure the head on, onfree the head from said studs, substantially as described. i 4. In' a fishing-reel, a frame provided with notched end studs, in combination with a head, composed of metallic and non-metallic 'parts and having openings t'o receive saiil studs, a locking-ring arranged in said nonmetallic part and notched to correspond with said studs, and means upon the exterior of the head for operatingsaid ring, substantially as describe 5.vv In a fishing-reel, a frame, provided with notched end. studs, in combination with a head fitted upon said studs and provided with an internal annu-lar recess, a lockingring notched to correspond wit-h said studs and fitted in said recess and means for operating sai l ring, on the exteriorof said head, substantially as described.

,6j In a fishing-reel, a frame, provided with end stu/ts, in combination with a head, a

movable locking device arranged in said head' and means on the exterior of the head for operating -saifl device to engage or dlsengage the same with said studs, substantially as described.

Ilo

' 8. In` a iishing-reel, a frame provided at each end with studs, in combination with heads having openings to fit corresponding io studs, each'of said heads containing a locking device operable from its exterior 'and adapte."L

to secure the same upon the frame,`substan tially as described.

9. In a fishing-reel, a frame, composed of 15 end rings having spindle-holes, in combination with spindles or cross-bars rigidly secured to said rings and having reduced, integral ends extending through the holes in sai l rings and 'forming head-securing studs, suitzo able heads and means movable therein for fastening the same upon said studs, substantially as described.

10. In a fishing-reel, a frame, composed of end rings and a plurality of cross-bars having 2 5 ends extending through said rings and notched as described', in combination withl front and rear heads having openings to receive corresponding studs, said,l heads having metallic face-plates through which the encs 3a of said studs appear, a locking device contained in said heads to engage the reduced ends of said cross-bars'and adapted for opera# tion to disengage the heads there'om substantially as described.

prising a fishing-reel spool, having a hollow barrel which is thickened at the middle, theA thickened portion containing a line4 recess or opening that does not pierce the barrel, sub- 4c.. stantially as described.

`12. A new article of manufacture, comprising a fishing-reel spool composed of a nonmetallic casting and having a hollow barrel, in combination with milled, serrated metal- 4 5 lic bearing-rings sunk in the ends of said barrel, substantiallyas described.

13. In a fishing-reel, a frame and-head, in

l6ov necting the spool from said drag mechanism without freeing saidI drag'mechanism, substantially as described;

15. In a fishing-reel, a frame, heads, drivin g mechanism and spoolsshaft, in combina- 11. A new article of manufacture, com` mechanism, and adapted.

as described. i

gage said shaft, a spool mounted for free rotation on said shaft and a clutch normally connecting the shaft and spool for simultaneous rotation and adapted for operation to free the shaft, substantially as described. i

16. In a fishing-reel, the frame and heads, in combination with suitable'driving mech# anism, a spooli and its shaft,A a band for engagement therewith and means for tightening said b'and thereon,- substantially as described. v

17. Ina fishing-reel, the frame, heads and driving mechanism, inicombination with a spool-shaft, a spool mounted thereon,a clutch for connecting the spool and shaft, a sheave on said shaft, a band encircling said sheave and attached to one of said heads and means upon said head for tightening said band upon said sheave to resist the rotation of said shaft and spool, substantially as described.

18. Ina fishing-reel, a frame having a plurality of cross-bars or spindles, front and rear heads detachably secured to the ends of said spindles, a spool-shaft having bearings in said heads, a spool revolubly mounted upon said shaft, a clutch connecting said spool and l said shaft 4and, a horizontal trigger mounted upon one of said cross-bars and substantially parallel therewith for operating said clutch,

' substantially as described.

19. In a fishing-reel, a frame and frontand rear heads detachably secured thereto, in combination with a spool shaft, a spool mounted for free rotationon said shaft, aclutch normally connecting the spool and shaft and a horizontal clutchfoperating trigger arranged between said heads in convenient position to be operated by the thumb of the hand When'the reel is in use, substantially 20.In.a fishing-reel, la frame, the heads and spool, in combination with a plurality of ICD gears, arranged in one of said heads for driving said spool, a clutch for disconnecting the spool from said gear, a conveniently-positioned clutch-trigger and a spring-returned swinging lever for operating said gears, substantially as d'escrbed.`

21. In a fishing-reel, a frame, in combinai tion with a head, a spool and Lspool-pinion, a

plurality of gears arranged in said head for driving said inion and spool, a lever provided on sai Ahead and a single-directioned driving mechanism connecting the-said lever and gears, substantially as described.

22. In a fishing-reel, a reel-headcontaining a plurality of gears, in combination with device joining said lever and gear, .substantially as described.

23. In a iishing-.reel, a frame, comprising end rings and spindles, in combination with heads arranged on said frame, a -drivin :izo

fa lever pivoted on said head, a spring, for re-- turning said lever and a pawlandratchet` 65 tion with click and drag mechanisms to eng mechanism in one of said heads,v a spoo 13o mounted between said heads, a clutch-normally connecting the said spool and driving mechanism, a clutch-lever, one 0l said spindles with a slot or recess and a clutch-lever- 5 operating trigger mountedy in said recess,

substantially as described.

24. In a fishing-reel, the combination with the frame rods or bars, having notched ends,

. of a detachable head or casing, containing I0 ythe gearing and having holes inritsend plate forthe reception of said rods or bars, a slotted locking-ring mountedwithin said casing andadapted to engagewith the notched ends ofsaid-rods, and a detachable line spool. or

bobbin'. f I5 In testimony whereof I have hereunto s'et my hand, this 22d day of September, 1904,

at Cleveland, Ohio.

' l ROBERT L.' HUNTER.

, Inpresence ofv JOHN A..ALBURN,

EDWARD' SQHULTZ. 

